Water level measurement structure and water level measurement device

Abstract

To provide a water level measuring device that is easy and inexpensive to install in a sewage pipe, etc., and can always accurately reflect the water level of the sewage, etc.SOLUTION: A water level measuring device 9 is configured by forming a transparent and flexible tube into a T-shape. The T-shaped tube includes a transparent and flexible tube body 17, and a transparent and flexible water intake tube 19 connected to the center of the tube body 17 in the length direction and extending perpendicularly to the tube body 17. The water intake tube 19 has an intake opening 31 to be open in the center of its length direction on the side that contacts the inner surface of a sewer pipe 1 when a water level measuring structure 11 is configured, and the end side of the tube 19 for water intake is closed with putty.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water level measurement technique for measuring the level of water flowing inside a water pipe such as a sewer pipe. [Background technology]

[0002] In a separate sewer system, where wastewater from each household is discharged into sewer pipes (sewage pipes) and rainwater is collected in storm drains, only the wastewater coming from the sewer pipes is treated at the sewage treatment plant, while the rainwater from the storm drains can be discharged into rivers or the ocean. This allows the sewage treatment plant to have a smaller treatment capacity. However, if a large crack in a sewer pipe causes a large amount of rainwater to enter the sewer pipe during rainfall, the amount of water sent to the sewage treatment plant may increase, exceeding the plant's treatment capacity. Furthermore, the infiltration of such a large amount of rainwater into the sewer pipes may cause the pipes to overflow. Furthermore, if groundwater constantly enters the sewer pipes through cracks, it reduces the sewage treatment capacity of the sewage treatment plant. If sediment and other debris are drawn into the sewer pipes along with the groundwater, it can cause road subsidence, and sediment accumulation in the sewer pipes can impede the sewer's ability to drain water.

[0003] Therefore, water level gauges or flow meters are installed in sewer pipes to monitor the amount of water in the pipes, and it is determined whether the amount of water increases significantly during rainfall, or whether a certain amount of water is flowing even in the middle of the night, etc., to narrow down the areas where rainwater infiltration occurs and areas where water infiltration occurs constantly, and appropriate measures to prevent water infiltration are taken in the narrowed down areas.

[0004] As a water level measuring device used to monitor the amount of water in such sewer pipes, for example, a measuring tube as described in Patent Document 1 is known. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-90375 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The water level measuring tube in Patent Document 1 is inexpensive and easy to install in a sewer pipe, but if the flow rate of the sewage in the sewer pipe is high or if the slope of the sewer pipe is steep, the high-flowing sewage may collide with the lower end of the measuring tube where the water inlet and outlet are formed, preventing the pressure energy of the sewage from being accurately transmitted to the water inlet and outlet, and the sewage in the measuring tube may not rise to the same level as the sewage in the sewer pipe, or may rise above the level of the sewage in the sewer pipe.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a water level measuring structure that can be easily and inexpensively installed in sewer pipes, etc., and that can always accurately reflect the water level of sewage, etc., and a water level measuring instrument for use in this water level measuring structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve this objective, the water level measurement device of the present invention is for measuring the water level of water flowing through a flowing water pipe. The device comprises a transparent or translucent U-shaped or C-shaped tube body with both open upper ends attached circumferentially to the inner surface of the flowing water pipe, and a water intake tube with a closed end extending from the lower end of the tube body along the bottom of the inner surface of the flowing water pipe downstream in the lengthwise direction of the flowing water pipe. The water intake tube has an intake opening that communicates with the interior of the tube body and takes in water from the flowing water pipe. The water in the flowing water pipe that flows from the intake opening through the water intake tube into the tube body has a colorant floating on both sides of its width. The water intake opening may be formed, for example, on the lower side of the water intake tube or on the side facing the bottom of the inner surface of the flowing water pipe. The tube body does not necessarily have to be entirely transparent or translucent. The tube body is also formed so that the upper opening is not submerged in the water in the flowing water pipe. The coloring agent can be a coloring liquid, which must be immiscible with water, and can be, for example, an oil-based liquid dye. The inner surface of the tube body that comes into contact with the coloring agent or coloring liquid is colored. Since the tube body is transparent or translucent, the coloring by the coloring agent or coloring liquid can be seen from the outside. The coloring agent or coloring liquid used must be such that the colored part of the inner surface of the tube body does not run off even when immersed in water.

[0009] The intake opening for taking in water from the flow pipe into the tube body is not formed in the tube body, but is formed in the water intake tube that extends from the lower end of the tube body downstream in the direction of the flow pipe or flow channel. Therefore, since the intake opening is located downstream away from the tube body, there is little or no risk that the collision of flowing water with the lower end of the tube body will affect the intake of water into the tube body through the intake opening.

[0010] To ensure smooth intake of water into the tube body through the intake opening, it is preferable to locate the intake opening at a sufficient distance from the tube body. However, because the top of the water in the tube body is equal to the water level or surface of the flowing water at the intake opening, if the distance is too large, it becomes difficult to easily determine the water level in the tube body, i.e., the water level of the flowing water from the colored area. Furthermore, if the intake opening is located at the tip of the intake tube, if the tip of the intake tube is pressed hard against the bottom of the flowing water pipe, the intake opening may be blocked, preventing water from being taken into the tube body according to the water level in the flowing water pipe. Therefore, it is advisable to form the intake tube long or relatively long and locate the intake opening in the center or near the center of the length of the intake tube. Here, "approximately the center" means between a position 40% of the length of the water intake tube from the base or rear end of the water intake tube and a position 60% of the length of the water intake tube, and forming the water intake opening "approximately the center" means that the center of the water intake opening is located "approximately the center."

[0011] When the flow pipe is inclined in the vertical direction, the water level measurement structure is configured so that the water intake tube extends in the downward direction of the flow pipe.

[0012] Furthermore, to achieve this object, the water level measuring device of the present invention is a water level measuring device for measuring the level of water flowing in a flowing water pipe, and comprises a transparent or translucent tube body with both ends open so that it can be attached circumferentially to the inner circumferential surface of the flowing water pipe, and a water intake tube with a closed tip provided in the center of the length of the tube body so as to extend perpendicular to the tube body, the water intake tube being provided so that when the tube body is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the flowing water pipe, the water intake tube extends downstream in the length direction of the flowing water pipe along the bottom of the inner surface of the flowing water pipe, the interior of the water intake tube is in communication with the interior of the tube body and has an intake opening formed therein for taking in water from the flowing water pipe. The water intake opening is formed, for example, so that when the water level measuring device is attached to the flowing water pipe, it is located below the water intake tube or on the side facing the bottom of the inner surface of the flowing water pipe.

[0013] The water level measuring device of the present invention is configured so that a coloring material or coloring liquid can be poured into both sides of the tube body.

[0014] The tube body can be configured as having a three-way joint for connecting a water intake tube, a pair of main body tubes connected to a pair of connection ports of the three-way joint (T-type coupling), and the water intake tube connected to another connection port of the three-way joint.

[0015] A linear spring material can be inserted into the tube body. The spring material has the function of pressing the tube body against the inner surface of a flowing water pipe to secure it in place. If a spring material is not used, staples, for example, can be used to attach the tube body to the inner surface of a flowing water pipe such as a sewer pipe. Even if a spring material is used, staples, for example, can be used to attach the tube body to the inner surface of a flowing water pipe such as a sewer pipe, along with the spring material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, the water level of flowing water in a flowing water pipe can be measured simply and accurately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a sewer pipe provided with a water level measurement structure according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing the overall structure of a water level measuring instrument according to the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the water level measuring device when the tube body is bent. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a method for configuring a water level measurement structure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state immediately after the water level measurement structure is constructed. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the case where the water level in the sewer pipe drops. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the case where the water level in the sewer pipe rises. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing the state of the lower end of the colored area when the amount of sewage remaining in the tube body is small. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] First, the overall structure of a sewer pipe provided with a water level measuring structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1, and the overall configuration of a water level measuring device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0020] Sewer pipes (sewage pipes) 1 are buried underground to carry wastewater from homes and other places to a sewage treatment facility (not shown), and a water level measurement structure 11 having a water level measuring device 9 is configured at the opening 7 to the manhole 5 of the sewer pipe 1 to measure the water level of the sewage 3 flowing in this sewer pipe 1 and determine the extent to which rainwater and groundwater have infiltrated into the sewer pipe 1. The trench 15 of the sewer pipe 1 and invert 13 is inclined, and the sewage 3 flows in the trench 15 of the sewer pipe 1 and invert 13 along the slope (see arrow).

[0021] The water level measuring device 9 is constructed by forming a transparent, flexible tube into a T-shape. The T-shaped tube includes a transparent, flexible tube body 17 and a transparent, flexible water intake tube 19 connected to the center of the tube body 17 in the longitudinal direction and extending perpendicular to the tube body 17. The tube body 17 is formed by connecting a pair of transparent, flexible main tubes 21, 21 to a pair of openings 25, 25 of a translucent T-shaped three-way joint (T-coupling) 23. The water intake tube 19 is connected to the remaining opening 27 of the three-way joint 23. A wire or metal spring material 29 is inserted into the tube body 17, extending from one main tube 21 to the other main tube 21 (FIG. 2a shows the state before the wire 29 is inserted into the tube body 17, and FIG. 2b shows the state after the wire 29 is inserted into the tube body 17). The tube body 17 is generally transparent and flexible, while the three-way joint is made of translucent, hard plastic.

[0022] The water intake tube 19 and the main body tubes 21, 21 can be made of vinyl chloride, but it is preferable to use titanium nanotubes, which do not discolor even when immersed for a long period of time in the sewage 3. Alternatively, the water intake tube 19 can be made of vinyl chloride, and the main body tubes 21, 21 can be made of titanium nanotubes.

[0023] The water intake tube 19 has a water intake opening 31 at the center or approximately the center of the length of the side that comes into contact with the inner surface of the sewer pipe 1 when the water level measurement structure 11 is constructed, i.e., 40 mm from the base end of the water intake tube 19, and a plug material (putty) 33 is attached to the tip opening, so that the tip side of the water intake tube 19 is closed.

[0024] The main body tubes 21, 21 each have an outer diameter of approximately 8 mm, an inner diameter of approximately 6 mm, and a length of approximately 250 mm, while the water intake tube 19 has an outer diameter of approximately 8 mm, an inner diameter of approximately 6 mm, and a length of approximately 90 mm, and the water intake opening 31 has a diameter of approximately 3 mm or approximately 4 mm. However, the dimensions of the main body tube 21 and the water intake tube 19 are set according to the size of the target sewer pipe 1.

[0025] Before attaching such a water level measuring device 9 to the inner surface of the sewer pipe 1, the main body tubes 21, 21 are bent into an arc or C-shape together with the wire 29, and the wire 29 is plastically deformed to a state in which the radius of curvature is larger than the inner surface of the sewer pipe 1 to which it is to be attached (see Figure 3).

[0026] Next, with reference to Figures 1 and 4, we will explain how to attach the water level measuring device 9 to the inner surface 35 of the opening 7 of the sewer pipe 1 to form the water level measuring structure 11. Note that the wire 29 is not shown in Figure 4.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the water level measuring device 9, in which the tube main body 17 or the main body tubes 21, 21 are bent in an arc or C-shape, is attached to the inner circumferential surface 35 of the opening 7 of the sewer pipe 1 so that the tube main body 17 or the main body tubes 21, 21 are perpendicular to the pipe direction of the sewer pipe 1 (see the arrow in Figure 1) and the water intake tube 19 extends downstream along the bottom 37 of the inner circumferential surface 35 of the sewer pipe 1 (see the partially enlarged view in Figure 1). To attach the water level measuring device 9, the tube main body 17 is elastically deformed to a smaller diameter than the state shown in Figure 3, the water level measuring device 9 is placed inside the opening 7 of the sewer pipe 1, and the diameter-reducing force on the tube main body 17 is released. Then, the tube main body 17 expands in diameter due to the elastic restoring force of the wire 29, and is pressed against the inner circumferential surface 35 of the sewer pipe 1 (Figure 4a). Then, the perpendicularity of the tube body 17 and the straightness of the water intake tube 19 are finely adjusted, and the water level measuring device 9 is installed in the sewer pipe 1. If the wire 29 is not used, the tube body 17 is attached to the sewer pipe 1 using, for example, staples A as shown in Figure 4.

[0028] The tube body 17 is formed to a length that is approximately 80% of the inner circumference of the sewer pipe 1. Here, the inner diameter of the sewer pipe 1 is 200 mm, so the length of the tube body 17 or the length of the main body tubes 21, 21 is approximately 500 mm.

[0029] The tube body 17 is open at its upper end on both widthwise sides, and the water intake openings 31 formed in the water intake tube 19 are close to, partially in contact with, or in contact with the bottom 37 of the inner circumferential surface 35 of the sewer pipe 1. The interior of the tube body 17 or the main tubes 21, 21 communicates with the interior of the water intake tube 19 via the three-way joint 23, and the interior of the water intake tube 19, and therefore the interior of the tube body 17 or the main tubes 21, 21, 21, communicates with the bottom 37 of the sewer pipe 1 through the water intake openings 31. Therefore, sewage 3 flows into the tube body 17 so that its level nearly matches the level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1. A colored liquid 39 with a low specific gravity is also poured into the tube body 17 on both widthwise sides so that it floats on the sewage 3. The amount of colored liquid 39 poured is such that the height of the colored liquid 39 is approximately 10 mm when the colored liquid 39 is located at the center of the sewer pipe 1 (e.g., Figure 4b). An oil-based dye can be used as the coloring liquid 39, and specifically, "Liquid neutral Red SST-D" manufactured by Shirodo Chemical Co., Ltd., a red liquid dye for lubricating oil, is used. "Liquid neutral Red SST-D" has a density of 0.91, but because it is diluted four times with fluid (diluting liquid) before use, it has a low specific gravity.

[0030] The needle of a syringe 40 containing a colored liquid 39 is inserted into the tube body 17, and the colored liquid 39 is injected or supplied to the upper side of the sewage 3 that has entered the tube body 17 from the water intake opening 31 (Fig. 4b). Here, the attachment of the water level measuring device 9 to the sewer pipe 1 and the injection of the colored liquid 39 are carried out during times when the water level of the sewage 3 is relatively low (except late at night).

[0031] Next, the measurement principle of the water level measurement structure 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0032] FIG. 5 shows the state immediately after the water level measurement structure 11 is constructed. The water level or height of the sewage 3 in the tube main body 17 is approximately the same as the water level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1. More specifically, the upper surface of the colored liquid 39 is located slightly higher than the water level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1. When the water level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1 drops, as shown in FIG. 6, the water level or height of the sewage 3 in the tube main body 17 also drops to approximately the same as the water level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1, and the colored liquid 39 moves downward. During this movement, the inner surface of the tube main body 17 or the main body tubes 21, 21 is colored red, forming a colored region 41. Next, when the water level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1 rises, as shown in FIG. 7, the water level or height of the sewage 3 in the tube main body 17 also rises to approximately the same as the water level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1, and the colored liquid 39 moves upward. During this movement, the inner surface of the tube main body 17 or the main body tubes 21, 21 is colored red, forming a new colored region 41. Since the coloring liquid 39 does not mix with water, the coloring liquid 39 attached to the tube body 17 or the main body tubes 21, 21 does not flow off even when it comes into contact with water.

[0033] In this way, the colored liquid 39 in the tube main body 17 moves up and down in accordance with fluctuations in the water level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1 to approximately match the water level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1, and colors the inner surface of the tube main body 17 or the main body tubes 21, 21 that it comes into contact with red. Therefore, it can be considered that the height of the lower end L of the red colored area 41 of the tube main body 17 or the main body tubes 21, 21 represents the lowest water level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1 during the measurement period, and the height of the upper end H of the red colored area 41 of the tube main body 17 or the main body tubes 21, 21 represents the highest water level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1 during the measurement period.

[0034] When calculating the flow rate from the water level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1, the flow rate is calculated as the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow, A, times the flow velocity, V. However, if the water level of the sewage 3 is known, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow, A, can be calculated, and the flow velocity, V, can also be calculated using Manning's formula, V = 1 / n × R2 / 3 × i1 / 2 (where n is the roughness coefficient, R is the diameter / depth, R is calculated as R = cross-sectional area of ​​the flow, A / wetted perimeter, S, and wetted perimeter, S, can also be calculated from the water level of the sewage 3, and i is the water surface gradient). Therefore, the minimum flow rate of the sewage can be calculated using the minimum water level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1, and the maximum flow rate of the sewage 3 can be calculated using the maximum water level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1. The calculated minimum flow rate can then be taken as the constant groundwater infiltration rate, or the constant groundwater infiltration rate can be determined from the calculated minimum flow rate, and the approximate amount of rainwater infiltration during rainy weather can be determined from the maximum flow rate.

[0035] When the level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1 drops and the amount of sewage 3 remaining in the tube body 17 decreases, the boundaries between the sewage 3 and the colored liquid 39 on both sides displace to form a V-shaped curve, as shown in FIG. 8 . Therefore, when the level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1 approaches or falls below the outer diameter of the tube body 17 or the intake tube 19, the relationship between the level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1 and the lower end L of the colored region 41 becomes complex. Therefore, when the lower end L of the colored region 41 forms a V-shaped curve, it is possible to uniformly determine a predetermined minimum water level or to determine the water level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1 based on the distance or separation between the colored regions 41 on both sides. Therefore, when the lower end L of the colored region 41 forms a V-shaped curve, it is preferable to directly determine the minimum flow rate. While it is possible to uniformly determine a predetermined minimum flow rate, it is more effective to derive the minimum flow rate based on the distance between the colored regions 41 on both sides. In order to derive the minimum flow rate from the distance between the colored regions 41 on both sides, it is possible to experimentally determine the relationship between the distance between the colored regions 23 on both sides and the flow rate, and then perform regression analysis on the regression line or regression curve of the minimum flow rate. Note that when the water level of the sewage 3 in the sewer pipe 1 approaches the outer diameter of the tube body 17 or is equal to or lower than the outer diameter of the tube body 17, the water level of the sewage 3 near the tube body 17 is substantially higher than the water level at other points of the sewage 3, but since the water intake opening 31 is located downstream from the tube body 17, there is little possibility that this rise in water level will affect the colored region 41.

[0036] This water level measuring device 9 or water level measuring structure 11 can be suitably used when the gradient of the sewer pipe (flowing water pipe) 1 is, for example, 20 per mille (‰) to 40 per mille (‰).

[0037] If the colored area 41 extends into the three-way joint 23 or the water intake tube 19, the minimum water level or minimum flow rate can be determined based on the extent of the colored area 41. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Sewer pipe 3 Sewage 9 Water level measuring equipment 11 Water level measurement structure 17 Tube body 19 Water intake tube 31 Water intake opening 39 Coloring liquid

Claims

1. A water level measurement structure for measuring the water level of water flowing in a water pipe, a transparent or semi-transparent U-shaped or C-shaped tube body with both upper ends open, attached along the circumferential direction to the inner circumferential surface of the water pipe; a water intake tube whose tip end is closed and which extends from the lower end of the tube body along the bottom of the inner surface of the water pipe toward the downstream side in the length direction of the water pipe, The water intake tube has an interior that communicates with the interior of the tube body and has a water intake opening that takes in water from the flow pipe, A water level measurement structure characterized in that coloring material is floated on both sides of the width of the water in the flow pipe that flows from the water intake opening through the water intake tube and into the tube body.

2. 2. The water level measurement structure according to claim 1, wherein the water intake opening is formed at or approximately at the center in the longitudinal direction of the water intake tube.

3. 3. The water level measuring structure according to claim 1, wherein the water pipe is inclined in the vertical direction, and the water intake tube extends so as to face in the downward direction of the water pipe.

4. A water level measuring device for measuring the water level of water flowing in a water pipe, a transparent or semi-transparent tube body having open ends and formed so as to be attached to the inner circumferential surface of the water pipe along the circumferential direction; a water intake tube provided at the center of the tube body in the longitudinal direction so as to extend perpendicularly to the tube body, the tip side of which is closed; the water intake tube is provided so as to extend downstream in the length direction of the flowing water pipe along a bottom portion of the inner surface of the flowing water pipe when the tube body is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the flowing water pipe, A water level measuring device characterized in that the inside of the water intake tube is connected to the inside of the tube body and has a water intake opening formed therein for taking in water from the flow pipe.

5. 5. The water level measuring device according to claim 4, wherein a coloring material can be injected into both sides of the tube body.

6. The tube body includes a three-way joint for connecting the water intake tube, and has a pair of main body tubes connected to a pair of connection ports of the three-way joint, 6. A water level measuring instrument according to claim 4, wherein the water intake tube is connected to another connection port of the three-way joint.

7. 5. The water level measuring device according to claim 4, wherein a linear spring material is inserted into said tube body for pressing said tube body against the inner peripheral surface of said water pipe to fix said tube body in place.

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